Galveston County Daily News, Oct. 22, 2008 In this guest column, UTMB employee Ruth Beaumont writes that many UTMB employees, in addition to losses caused by Hurricane Ike, now face the prospect of losing their jobs because of damage caused by the storm. "This fine institution is composed of numerous individuals who are leaders in their field and committed to excellence in teaching, research and patient care. I have been honored to be a part of this institution for more than 19 years. UTMB is the largest employer of individuals residing on Galveston Island, as well as an employer of a significant percentage of mainland Galveston County residents. Thus, it is critically important for the economic redevelopment of this devastated area."